Giving It a Trial.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 81

Giving It a Trial.

"How true that is,"' said Mrs Sharp, laying down Ibe book she had been reading, ! and sighing deeply. "How true what is?" mumbled Mr ' Sharp, with his cigar between his teeth, and his eyes still fixed on his newspaper. " Why, it =ays in a chapter in this book t that a world of unhappiness would be prevented if husbands and wives were only s more frank and open with each other, and kindly pointed out each other's faults — not , in a spirit of criticism, but earnestly desiring to help to overcome each other's failincs. It is true, every word of it. If " you'd just mention some of my chief faults to me, and let me in the same spirit point out some of your failings, I'm sure we i should get along together better. We might try it, anyhow. So what, now, Alonzo. is ■ the fault in me that vexes you most? Tell me frankly." "Your tongue," replied Alonzo. with • frankness bordering on bluntness; "it is the nearest thing to perpetual motion I know ; of, and it " "That will do. Alonzo Sharp! Yon can > «top at once, without^jeaping further insults on the wife who "lowered herself by marrying you! My tongue! Heaven only : knows what a woman would do without her tongue ! It is her one weapon of defence > when she finds herself tied to a brute of a man who has no idea whatever of his duty as a husband and father, and who, if it were not for her tongue, would heap abuse on : her from morning till night! And here, when I try to introduce a little affection ■ and harmony into our home, you do your utmost to defeat me, and go to talking about my tongue ! Thank heaven I have a tongue, and I know how to use it, too, as you will find out when you wilfully and deliberately insult and revile me ! If I had your temper I wouldn't say 'tongue* . to anyone on carth — no, I wouldn't ! I

\ have endured enough since I married you, Alonzo Sharp, but I'd have had to endure a great deal more had I not been given a tongue with which to take my part, when the husband who avowed to protect, love and honour me sneers at all his solemn vows, and seoke. to treat me as the dirt under his feet ! I tell you, Alonzo Shai p, that — now, that is a pretty performance, isn't it? That's a pretty exhibition of temper when a man tears his newspaper all to pieces, kicks over his chair, throws his cigar across the floor, and stamps out of the room, banging the door, and using language I thank heaven the children didn't hear. A pretty S2>ecimen he is to say 'tongue' to me or anyone else on earth !"